The presentation took place during a ceremony featuring a keynote
address by Dr. Arthur Fletcher, chairman of the board of directors of
the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony focused on the
theme "Heritage and Horizons: The African-American Legacy and the
Challenges of the 21st Century."

Jeff received the Garrett A. Morgan Association's fifth annual
Trailblazer Award. Jeff, the first African-American and the second woman
to serve as FHWA Deputy Administrator, was recognized for her outstanding
leadership and commitment to mentoring employees and students.

"We are honored to have Dr. Fletcher join us as we celebrate
the achievements and contributions of some of America's greatest
heroes," FHWA Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle said. "It is
also fitting that we mark this celebration by honoring our former deputy
administrator, Gloria Jeff, for her tireless commitment to furthering
excellence in transportation as a means of improving the quality of life for every American."

Members of Garrett Morgan's family were on hand for the presentation
of the Trailblazer award which was developed by FHWA's Garrett
A. Morgan Association (GAMA). The association is named in honor of Morgan,
an African-American entrepreneur and son of slaves who invented the
three-phased automated traffic signal and the safety hood, later known as the gas mask.

The ceremony also included an address from Cardozo High School senior
Elizabeth Gorman. Ms. Gorman is enrolled in the Cardozo Transportation
and Technology Academy and is currently an intern at the FHWA.

The Trailblazer Award is given each year by GAMA to a U.S. Department
of Transportation employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment
to the minority community and has worked to improve communication and
cooperation between minority and non-minority employees.

GAMA, an employee organization of the FHWA, was founded in 1991 by
African-American employees. The organization provides an open forum
for all agency staff concerning careers, training and personal development
to help further diversity within FHWA. Information about GAMA's mission,
goals and activities can be found on the association's web site at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/gama.